Bruce W. Roman DDS - Welcome to Smiles By Roman - Roseburg Orthodontist - Braces - Orthodontics - Invisalign - Invisible Braces - Snoring

The good news is...

…true orthodontic emergencies are rare.

The bad news is…

…they do occasionally occur.

Most problems are minor and can be handled at home.

But, if they can’t, we’re here for you. Call the office immediately.

For more information, click on a link below:

"Pokey" wire

Loose bracket or band

Sore(s) or irritiation

Lost separator

Sore teeth after an appointment

Bleeding and/or puffy gums

Spaces where there were none

Removable appliances not fitting

Large springs for bite correction

“Pokey” wire:

Wires can come loose, especially the light, very flexible wires used at the beginning of treatment.

If the wire has come out of the very last bracket or band, try using tweezers or needle-nose pliers to place it back in the tube.

If you can’t, or it’s not the very last bracket, try using an eraser at the end of a pencil or Q-tip (or some other non-sharp object) to push the wire into a comfortable position.

You can also place wax, wet cotton or toilet paper over the end of the wire for comfort.

If none of the above work, it’s OK to cut the wire with nail clippers or cutting pliers (clean first in alcohol) to relieve the discomfort. We’ll be glad to replace the wire.

Call the office during business hours and we’ll get you in ASAP.

Loose bracket or band:

If a bracket or band (i.e., “brace”) comes loose, through accident, indulging in dietary no-no’s or cosmic forces, and there is no discomfort, call the office during business hours and we’ll get you in ASAP. Please bring the loose brace in with you at your next appointment.

It takes additional time to replace a bracket or band, so let us know so we can schedule accordingly. Otherwise, we may not be able to replace the brace at the next appointment.

Loose or missing brackets can delay treatment. So it’s vital that care is taken, especially concerning diet.

We want an on-time delivery of your beautiful new smile.

Sore(s) or irritiation:

Initially, it’s normal to have a break-in period. Use the wax we gave you, or wet cotton or toilet paper, to cover whatever is causing the irriation until you get used to your braces.

If there’s a sore or irritiation after the break-in period, do the same as the above, but call the office during business hours and we’ll get you in ASAP.

If you can’t eliminate the discomfort by the above, call the office immediately.

Lost separator:

Call the office during business hours. It may not need to be replaced. We will advise.

Sore teeth after an appointment:

It’s normal to have some discomfort. The teeth have to be loose to move and loose teeth “feel” everything more.

Ibuprophen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be taken (assuming no allergies to them) to reduce or eliminate discomfort.

A softer diet for the next day or two will also help.

Bleeding and/or puffy gums:

Usually due to a lack of brushing and/or flossing or missing a particular spot or spots in the mouth.

The solution is NOT to stop brushing/flossing, brush “harder” or to use a stiffer toothbrush (a soft brush is all you need).

Pay particular attention to the area where the bleeding is occurring and be sure to clean it as you were taught when you first had the braces put on.

If you need a brush-up lesson, please let us know and we’ll be glad to offer any help you may need.

Remember, no one was born knowing how to clean their teeth. It’s a learned skill. It’s not how long it takes you to learn it, it’s whether you do or not and then whether you use that skill—daily. And, that’s true whether you have braces on or not.

Spaces where there were none:

Wow, what’s going on here?! As teeth are moved, spaces can occur where there were none before.

If it involves the upper front teeth, it can be especially disturbing. This is temporary. All spaces will be closed before your treatment is over (except, of course, if intentionally leaving space for an implant or bridge).

Removable appliances not fitting:

If any removable appliance is not fitting or cannot be inserted as instructed, call the office during business hours ASAP.

Removable appliances that are part acrylic will often not fit if left out for more than a few days to a week. To avoid the cost of replacing it, call us for the next available appointment.

Clear vacuum-formed retainers are more “forgiving” (one of the many reasons we use them).

In fact, the best solution for a clear retainer that is not fully seating as when you first got it, is to wear it more (full time is best, except for eating, until it seats comfortably).
If the teeth haven’t moved too much, the clear retainer can re-align the teeth, at least to some degree, if not fully (much like an Invisalign® aligner).

Large springs for bite correction:

If anything being used for bite correction comes loose, call the office during business hours ASAP. Any delay will extend treatment time.